Radio apparatus



Oct 1934- M. J. HUGGINS 1,979,107

RADIO APPARATUS Filed July 10. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor A4..lflugyms Oct. 30, 1934.

M. J. HUGGINS 1,979,107 RADIO APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1931 5Sheets-Sheet 2 fnuenzor Filed July 10, 1931 5 Sheets-$heet 3nllmllimliimi Oct. 30, 1934. M J. HUGGlNs 1,979,107

RADIO APPARATUS .Filed July 10. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gvwamtoz M. JHuygz nf" 551 his Gum/14W Oct. 30, 1934.

M. J. HUGGINS 1,979,107 RADIO APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1931 5Sheets-Sheet 5 .MJIHuy [m $51 1/5 flbtomWi/f Patented Oct. 30, 1934 vRADIO APPARATUS Merion J. Huggins, Upper Saddle River, N. J. ApplicationJuly 10, 1931, Serial No. 549,847

17 Claims.

This invention relates to control means for radio apparatus andparticularly to means to operate variable condensers or other tuningmeans to synchronize or tune the receiving circuit of the apparatus toresonance with the incoming transmitted radio frequencies, and it is anobject of the invention to provide means to actuate the tuning means topositively and accurately tune in predetermined radio frequencies at aplace remote to the radio apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide means connected incircuit with the actuatin means for the tuning means whereby saidactuating means is operative at predetermined intervals or periods oftime to tune or synchronize the electric circuit of the receivingapparatus to resonance with preselected transmitted radio frequencies.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated there is provided a pairof solenoids mounted rel ative to a radio apparatus and each solenoidadapted to actuate a separate armature, both armatures being operativelyconnected to the ad- Justable elements of variable condensers andmovable under the influence of their respective solenoids in oppositedirections corresponding to the differential energization of thesolenoids, and means is provided to retain the armatures in actuatedpositions electromagnetically controlled by circuit breaking meansactuated by the movements of the armatures. Periodically actuated meansis interposed in the circuit of the solenoids to cut out proportionalamounts of electric resistance means to predeterminedly anddifferentially energize the solenoids to actuate the armatures toposition the adjustable elements of the variable condensers to resonancewith a selected transmitted frequency at a predetermined period of time.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application,Figure 1 is an elevational view of the actuating and retaining meansconnected to a variable condenser and showing diagrammatically theelectric circuit and connection thereof with regulatable means therefor.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of the circuit regulatable meansshown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the parts shown in Figure 1and showing the electric connections thereof.

Figure 4 is an end view of the actuating and retaining means looking atthe left of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side view of the solenoid and armature looking at the leftof Figure 1.

" Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the solenoid andarmature at the right of Figure 1, and the adiustable electrode of thevariable condenser.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 on a reduced scale showingperiodically actuated means interposed in the circuit of the actuatingand retaining means.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the parts shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of an electromagnetic circuit maker of aseries associated with the periodically actuated means shown in Figure7; and

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the periodically actuated meansshown in Figure 7.

In carrying out the embodiment of the invention illustrated theactuating means may be wholly or partly mounted adjacent to or withinthe cabinet of the radio receiving apparatus and connected to the meansto synchronize the receiving circuit of the apparatus to resonance withthe transmitted radio frequencies which in the present instance embodiesa condenser or condensers in the form of a series of plate electrodes 11movably mounted in spaced and interposed rela- 39 tion to a series ofplate electrodes 12 fixedly carried by a dielectric support 13 mountedon a base 14 of the radio receiving apparatus. The actuating meanscomprises a pair of arcuate armatures in the form of split rings 15, 16of magnetizable or polarized material extending through an arc of morethan degrees and preferably of tapered formation, said armatures in thepresent instance being mounted coaxially on the support of theadjustable electrode to 90 rotate about their axes and transmit themovement thereof to the movable electrodes 11 by arms 17 having a boss18 at one end coaxially of the armatures for the engagement of and fixedon a shaft 19 rotatably mounted in a pair of spaced standards 20 fixedto and extended upwardly from the base 14 adJacent the bosses 18, theplates of the movable electrode 11 also being carried on said shaft 19and maintained in spaced relation to each other by a boss 21 fixed onone end of the 109 shaft. The free ends of the arms 17 are extendedlaterally toward the opposite arm and the rings 15, 16 secured to saidarm extensions adjacent the ends of greatest width, as at 22 in Figure1, with the reduced ends of the rings extended in opposite directions sothat the gaps of the rings are positioned at approximately oppositesides of the shaft 19, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The armature rings are adapted to be enm shmoved in opposite directionsto a multiplicity of stable positions under the influence of themagnetic forces of magnetic fields generated by coils or solenoidsconnected in circuit with a source of electricity preferably independentof the circuit or circuits of the radio receiving apparatus, thegenerated magnetic forces being adapted to be varied relative to eachother. For this purpose there is provided a pair of oppositely woundcoils 23, 24 wound upon spools mounted on the base 14, as at 25, saidcoils being in the nature of solenoids and the rings 15, 16 as armaturesmovable in the cores 23, 24, respectively, whereby the greaterenergization of one solenoid over the other, such as coil 23, willrotate shaft 19 in a direction to move the arms 1'7 forward, looking atFigure 1, in the direction of the arrow a in Figure 5, due to thelocation of the bulk of material of the armature 15 relative to the arm17 and the weakness generated by the magnetic field of solenoid 24thereby permitting free movement of the armature 16 and therewith theelectrode carrying shaft 19.

The coils 23, 24 are energized from a source of electricity, as abattery B, to one side of which one terminal 26, 2'7 of coils 23, 24,respectively, are connected, by a conductor 28. The coils aredifferentially energized relative to each other by cutting out orconnecting in of variable amounts of electric resistance, in the form ofcoils 29, 30, one terminal of resistance 29 being connected by aconductor 31 to terminal 32 of solenoid 23 opposite to the terminal 26,and one terminal of resistance 30 connected by conductor 33 to terminal34 of solenoid 24 opposite the terminal 27 of said solenoid. Differentportions of each resistance are adapted to be automatically connected tothe side of the battery B opposite to the side connected with theterminals 26, 27 of the solenoids to differentially energize thesolenoids. This automatic connecting of different amounts of theresistances into and out of the circuits of the solenoids isaccomplished by a series of contact members 35 each comprising aresilient plate mounted at one end on a conductor member 36 fixed to andextended along a marginal portion of a support 3'7 of non-conductingmaterial by screws 38 passed through perforations in the contacts 35 andthe conductor member 36 and threaded into the support 3'7, to. permitthe free ends of the contacts 35 to be actuated into engagement with apair of contacts 39, 40 mounted in a series on the support 37 andconnected to the solenoids either directly or through the resistancecoils 29, 30. To complete the circuit the contacts 35 are connected tothe battery B through the conductor member 36 by a conductor 41.

In the present instance the contacts 35, 39, 40 are arranged whereby thereceiving circuit of the radio apparatus is capable of being tuned toresonance with six different predetermined transmitted radiofrequencies. To accomplish this there is provided six of the contacts 35together with six pairs of contacts 39, 40 and the contacts are dividedinto two sets of three actuating contacts 35 each, with each setconnected to a solenoid to vary the energization thereof through theresistances 29,- 30, each resistance comprising three coils connected inseries, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. One side of the contacts of eachset is directly connected without passing through the resistance coilsto the solenoid opposite to the solenoid the connected set is adapted tovary the energization thereof so that upon the actuation of a contact ofeither set one of the solenoids is fully energized. In the presentinstance, looking at Figures 1 and 3, the contacts 40 of the left handset of contacts are directly connected to the terminal 34 of thesolenoid 24 by a conductor 42 connected to the contacts 40 and to theconductor 33 beyond the circuit of the resistance coils 30. The contacts39 of the right hand set of contacts are connected in circuit with theterminal 32 of the solenoid 23 by conductor 43 connected to the contacts39 and conductor 31 outside the circuit of the resistance coils 29.

The actuation of one of the contacts 35 of the left hand series willeffect rotation of the shaft in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewedin Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, as solenoid 24 is fully energized and therotation of the shaft in the direction of the movement of the wideportion of the armature 16 into the core of said solenoid is limited bythe low energization of the solenoid 23 due to the passage of theelectric current through the series of resistance coils 29, the greaterthe amount of the resistance connected into the circuit the greater willbe the extent of rotation of the shaft 19 in anti-clockwise directionand the actuation of the movable electrode plates 11 to one of theirextreme positions. The contact 39 of the end contact 35 of the left handset is connected by conductor 44 to the side of the resistance coils 29opposite to the side connected to the terminal 32 of coil 23 so thatupon the actuation of said end contact the armature 16 is moved to itsextreme position with the widest portion thereof within the coil 24, andthe actuation of the intermediate contact member 35 of the left hand setwill position the armature with the wide portion out of the coil 24 dueto the increase in the energization of the solenoid 23 as the endsection of the resistance coils 29 is cut out of the circuit by contact39 of said intermediate contact 35 being connected to the intermediatecoil of series 29 by a conductor 45. The initial actuating position ofarmature 16 is effected by actuating the innermost contact 35 o! theleft hand set of contacts whereby the movable electrode plates 11 areactuated to one of their intermediate positions, when the contact 39 ofthe innermost contacts 35 of the left hand series of contacts isconnected by a conductor 46 through the end coil of the series 29connected to the terminal 32 of solenoid 23.

The actuation of any one of the contacts 35 of the right hand serieswill effect the full energization of the solenoid 23 and render the sameas the actuating solenoid causing the rotation of the shaft 19 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, under thelimiting influence of armature l6-due to the controlling energization ofthe solenoid 24 through the series of resistance coils 30. The actuationof contact member 35 of the innermost contacts of the right hand serieswill position the armature 15 in its initial actuating position, asshown in Figure 5, and the electrode plates 11 in the other of theirintermediate positions, and the actuation of the other contact members35 of said right hand set of contacts will proportionally decrease theener-' gization of the solenoid 24 by connecting the contact members 40of said contacts through an increasing number of coils of the series ofresistance coils 30, commencing from the innermost contacts byconductors 4'7, 48, 49, leading to the coil connected to the terminal 34of solenoid 24, the intermediate coil and the end coil, respectively.The actuation of either of the outer con- 1 in Figures 1 and 7. In

tact members 35 will actuate the electrode plates 11 to either of theirextreme positions and the actuation of the successive contact members 35progressively in an inward direction will actuate the electrode platesll to their intermediate positions.

To assure the positioning of the electrode plates 11 in predeterminedrelation to the fixed electrode plates 12 and overcome the momentum ofthe actuating armature which will have a tendency to rotate the shaft 19beyond the predetermined position, control or retaining means areprovided to stop and hold the shaftagainst rotation and automaticallyinterrupt or break the circuit of the solenoids. This control meanscomprises means to stop the rotation of the shaft 19 and independentmeans to break the circuit and also control the actuation of thestopping means. The stopping means comprises an index member in the formof a wheel or disk fixed on the shaft 19 and arranged about theperiphery with a series oi notches 51 spaced apart distances equal tothe various stages of travel of the armatures as controlled by thecontacts 35 and the notches taken from left to right correspond with therespective contacts 35 looking in the same direction in Figure 3. Thenotches are releasably engaged by an offset end 52' of a detent 52 inthe form of an arm of magnetizable material pivotaliy mounted at the endopposite the offset end on the base 14 by a pin 53 engaged in a boss 54arranged at said end of the arm and ears 55 extended from the base 14.The arm 52 is yieldinghr urged in a direction to engage the offset end52' with a notch 51 by a spring 56 (Figure 4) coiled about a stem 57engaged in a perforation 58 in a portion of the arm 52 extendedlaterally from the offset and 52' and retained therein by a head 59 onsaid stem, the other end of the stem slidably enga a perforation in alateral extension 69 of an arm 60 projected from the adjacent standard20, with the stem extending beyond the portion 60 and having a fingergripping manipulating knob 61 fixed thereon to facilitate the manual dsengagement of the oilset 52 from a disk notch 51 to permit adjustmentof the electrode 11 by the usual manual means. such as a drum 62 fixedon the shaft 19 and arranged with a peripherally serrated ridge portion63 and indices 64, as shown the actuation of the tuning means by thesolenoids and armatures the pawl 52 is moved away from the notched disk50 upon the actuation of any of the contacts 35 by an electromagnet 65carried by an arm 66 extended laterally from the arm 60'. One terminalof the electromagnet is connected by a conductor 67 to the side of thebattery 13 to which the terminals 26, 27 of the solenoids 23. 24 areconnected and the opposite terminal of the magnet is electricallyconnected in open circuit with the opposite side of the battery, as bygrounding, by a conductor in electrical connection with shaft 19'through base 14, and the circuit of the magnet adapted to be closed uponthe closing of a crcuit through either one of the series of contactmembers 35, 39 and 40, in a manner hereinafter set forth.

To automatically open the circuit of the solenoids 23, 24 when theactuating armature has reached its selected position a cylindricalmember 68 of conducting material fixed on shaft 19 is arranged with aseries of conductor strips about the periphery thereof equal to thenumber of contact members 35, in the present instance'six in number, andeach strip is arranged with an the brush inset 69 of dielectric materialto extend transversely of the strips, said insets 69 being disposed instepped relation to each other and in radially opposed relation to thenotches in disk 50, as shown in Figure 4. Each strip is adapted to beelectrically connected to its corresponding contact member 35 upon theactuation of said member into engagement with the contact members 39, 40by brushes, in the form of resilient conductor strips 70 mounted at oneend on a dielectric support '11 fixed to the base l4'in parallel spacedrelation thereto, the free end of each strip slidably engaging a stripon the cylindrical member 68, the successive three strips 70 at the leftbeing connected by conductors 72 to a contact member 73 mounted on thesupport 37 between the contact members 39, 40. of the correspondingcontacts commencing at the left of support 37 in Figures 1 and 3. Thecontact members 73 are arranged so that upon the actuation of a contactmember 35. said member 35 engages the contact member 73 before engagingcontact members 39, 40, to close the circuit of and energize theelectromagnet 65 through brush 70 and cylindrical member 68 to actuateand release the pawl 52 from a notch 51 in disk 50 and permit rotationof the shaft 19 before the energization of solenoids 23, 24 to actuatethe armatures l5, 16 by the electrical connection between the contactmember 35 and contact members 39, 40, said latter connectionsimultaneously energizing both solenoids. It has been found throughexperiments that the armatures will more readily respond to theenergizations of the solenoids when the taper of the armatures extendfrom the narrow end thereof through an arc of approximately 230 with aportion at the wide end arranged with straight parallel edges and towhich portion the solenoid carrying arms 17 are fixed. j

In Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the armatures are shown to be actuated toposition when the innermost contact of the set of contacts 35 at theright hand, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, is actuated causing the currentto flow from the battery B through the conductor 41, conductor 36 andthe contact members 35, 78, along conductor 72 to brush 70' (Figure l)and the corresponding conducting strip 68' on cylinder 68, and from saidmember to the electromagnet 65 and battery B, thereby completing theelectromagnet 65 to release the detent 52 from engagement witha notch inwheel 50 and permit rotation of the shaft 19. Immediately upon thereleasing of the detent 52, the contact member '35 simultaneouslyengages the contact members 39, 40 and closes the circuit of thesolenoids 23, 24 permitting the current to flow from the battery B alongconductor 41 to the conductor 36, through the contact members 35, 39, 40and from contact member 39 the current fiows and 31 to terminal 32 ofsolenoid 23 thereby fulLv energizing the same. The circuit is alsoclosed through contact member 40, conductor 47, coil 30' of the seriesof coils 30 directly connected to solenoid 24, and through said 6011 byconductor 33 1 connected to terminal 34 of solenoid 24 wherebyresistance to the flow of current from contact member 40 is only slightand the energizatlon of solenoid 24 is proportionally reduced, therebygreatly resisting the actuating movement of the 145 armature 15. Whenthe armatures have attained their adiusted positions the cylinder 68 iscorre spondingly positioned with a dielectric portion 69' of conductingstrip 68' in engagement with the circuit of and energizing 35 alongconductors 43 preventing the flow of current tromagnet and causing theement oi the detent pawl 52 irom the elcctromagnet, said pawl I beingurged by prin 66 into enga ement with a notch 51 oi disk 50 positionedin alinement with the oiiset end 52 oi the pawl due to the radialarrangement oi the notches relative to the corresponding dielectricportions 89. The engagement i oi oiiset 52 with a notch 51' will holdthe shait 19 and the armatures 15, 18 against iurther movement, andprevent the podtioning oi the electrode 11 beyond the desired adjustedposition by the momentum oi the actuating armature 15. The

is circuit oi the solenoids is broken by releasing the contact member 35irom the contact members 39, 40 immediately upon the tuning oi thereceiving circuit to resonance with the vdesired transmitted radioirequency, which condition is :0 indicated by the audibility oi theaudio irequency through the usual sound reproducer.

To tune or synchronize the receiving circuit in resonance with any oithe other remaining iive selected radio irequencies, the contact member35 35 corresponding to the desired irequency is actuated into engagementwith the contact members 39. 40, '13 when the circuits 0! the solenoids23,

24 and electromagnet 65 are completed as all oi the brushes "(0 exceptbrush are in contact with the conductor strips oi cylinder 68 when theparts will again function as heretofore set iorth.

It is to be understood that any number oi series oi contacts 35, $9, and'13 may be utilized deupon the number oi selected radio ireouencies itis desired to tune in, with a corresponding change in the number oiresistance coils in the series at coils 29, 30, the brushes '70 andstrips oi the cylinder 68.

In Figures 'i' to 10, inclusive, there is illustrated 40 means totune-or ynchronize the ircquency oi the circuit at the-radio apparatusin resonance with ned traninnitted radio irequencies at preselectedintervals or periods oi time, meansbeinginterposedinthecircuitsoithe asolenoids 23, 24 and electromagnet and to simpliiy the illustration oithe arrangement oi partetheaameis shownln connecticnwith radio apps-ramsonly 0 in-e imcies. ore. iour brushes '10 conductor strips on mounted onthe under-surface oi the connecting portion oi the support '15 with thecoil within the recess portion oi the support iorrned by the legsthereoi with the core oi the.magnet extending through the top oi thesupport below the contact members '14, as shown in Figure 9. Theelectromagnets are adapted to attract and move the contacts '14 in adownward direction and simultaneously into engagement with the contactmembers 39, 40. One terminal oi each electromagnet I! is connected byconductors '78 to corresponding brushes 70, and the contact members '74are also connected in circuit with said brushes by the conductor '18 byleads 79.

A predetermined electromagnet l7 oi the series oi contacts isperiodically connected to the source oi electricity B by a periodicallyactuated device, as at oi Figure 7, oi suitable structure, such as aspring or electrically operated clock mechanism, detail illustration oiwhich is not deemed to be essential to an understanding oi theinventlon. Said periodically actuated device is adapted to rotate an arm81 connected thereto as to the arbor carrying the hour indicating hand,and having a permanent magnet 82 fixed tothe iree end thereof andmovable in juxtaposed relation to an annular plate 83 oi conductingmaterial electrically connected by conductor 84 to the side oi thebattery B connected to the terminals 26, 27 oi the solenoids 23, 24,respectively. As illustrated in Figure 'l the arm 81 is adapted to berotated by the clock mechanism and positioned in juxtaposed relation toa flexible finger oi a series oi fingers 85 of conducting andmagnetizable material every fliteen minutes, the fingers 85 beingcarried by a suitable support 88 oi nonconducting material to extendradially toward the center oi the annular plate 83 and parallelly tosaid plate, which plate is also mounted on said support'86, as shown at87 in Figure 7. when the magnetic end oi the arm 81 is actuated inalinement with one oi the fingers 85, said finger will be moved intoengagement with conductor plate 83 under the influence oi the magnet 82and thereby electrically connected to solenoids 23, 24 throughconductors 8i and 28, said latter conductor being connected to thebattery by the conductor 84. The side oi the battery opposite to theside connected to the annular plate 83 is regulatabiy connected throughthe .cut-out means comprising the cylinder 68, dielectric portions 69and brushes '10, and the series oi contacts H to the series oiconducting ringers 85. Each individual ringer 85 is adapted to beconnected in circuit with anyone oi the brushes '10 through thecorresponding electromagnet 77 to tune or syn ehronize the receivingcircuit oi the radio apparatus in resonance with a predeterminedtransmitted radio irequency at a preselected period oi time. Thisoperation is automatically accom- 13; plished by a series oi electricconducti strips 88 corresponding in number to the number oi conductinfingers 85 and mounted at one end on a longitudinal marginal portion 89oi the support 86 matically tune or cult to resonance with a diflerenttransm tted radio irequency every fliteen minutes. The strips 1-1 entiretions of the responding to and electrically connected by conductors 92to the electromagnets 77 and through said eiectromagnets with thebrushes 70. It will readily be seen that the circuit between the batteryand the strips 88 is still incompleted and each strip '88 is adapted tobe individually connected to anyone of the conducting 'members 91 byarranging one lateral with semi-circular recesses 93 positioned inalinement with the conductor members 91 and porperipheral wall ofperforations in bosses 94 arranged in the conducting members 91 relativeto the strips 88, as shown in Figure 7. whereby upon the engagement of apin 95 of conductor material in the perforation of a boss a portion ofthe pin will engage the recess 93 and electrically connect the engagedmember 91 and strip 88 and complete the circuit of the electrothecurrent flowing from the battery along conductor 8'7, through theelectromagnet 65. cylinder 88. the selected brush 70. through conductor78, the electromagnet 7'! connected to ,the engaged member 91, andconductor 92 through said member 91 and engaged strip 88. connectingfinger 85, and plate 83 with the battery through conductor 84. Thecircuit of the solenoids is completed through the electromagnet 65,cylinder 88. bmsh l0 and conductor 78 to the contact member 74. whichmember has been of coils 29, 30. as hereinbefore described, whereby thesolenoids 23, 34 are ditrerentialiy energized by the current .flowthrough conductors 81, 38, and return to battery B through conductors 28and 84.

' Itwill condenser elmnent 11 relative to the condenser transmittedradio frequency which may be designated by the number indicative of thewave length of said frequency on a card or other means at tachedrelative to the members 91.

In the arrangement of the periodically perative control means shown inFigures 7 to 10, inclustve. the actuation of the armatures to the pietactsflcu-riedbythenmportflaandelectricab edgeoi'eachstrip88 'ing meansand and conductors 92 intermediate the terminals of the eiectromagnets91.

the same manner as to 6, inclusive.

invention,

Having thus described my invention, I claim: I. In means to tune thereceiving circuits of radio apparatus to resonance with transmittedfrequencies, a fixed electrode and an electrode spaced from andadjustable relative to the fixed electrode interposed in the circuit ofthe radio eiectromagnetically operated means normally open electriccircuit with a source of electricity and connected with and adapted toactuate the adjustable electrode relative to the fixed electrode, anindex member arranged to conform with a multiplicity of cir cuitsynchronizing positions of the adjustable electrode relative to thefixed electrode connected with and participating in the movement of theel etromagneticaliy operated means, a detent normally urged to engageand co-operate with the index member to retain the electromagneticallyoperated'means and adjustable electrode in predetermined actuatedpositions, electromagnetically operated means connected in a normallyopen electric circuit operative upon the closing of the circuit toactuate and hold said detent from the index member to permit actuationof the eiectromagnetically operated means and the adjustable electrode,selectively operative means to close the circuit of theelectromagnetically operated detent actuating means to actuate and holdthe detent out of engagement with the index member and close the circuitof and difl'erentially' energize the electromagnetically operatedelectrode actuating means ahd actuate the adjustable electrode topredetermined synchronized positions relative to the ilxed electrode.and means to open the circuit of the electromagneticaliv 0peratedelectrode actuating means and otthe electro.- magnetically operateddetent releasing and holdpermit the latter to assume its index memberengaging position to hold the elec trode and its operating means againstmovement. 2. In means to tune the receiving circuits of radio apparatusto resonance with transmitted frequencies, a fixed electrode and anelectrode spaced from and adjustable relative to the fixed electrodeinterposed in the circuit of the radio apparatus, electromagneticallyoperated means connected in a normally open circuit with a source ofelectricity and adapted to actuate the adjustable electrode relative tothe fixed electrode, a disk having notches spaced about the periphery inconformity with a multiplicity of circuit synpositions of the adjustableelectrode relative to the fixed electrode connected with andparticipating in the movement of the electromagnetically Operated means.a detent normally urged toward and releasably actuated ed selectivelymanually op- 150 justment relative to actuate and hold the detent mentwith the index member and close the sincuit of and diiierentiallyenergize the electromagnetically operated electrode actuating means andactuate the adjustable electrode to predetermined synchronized positionsrelative to the fixed electrode, and means to open the circuit of theelectromagnetically operated electrode achlating means and of theelectromagnetically operated detent releasing and holding means andpermit the latter to assume its index member engaging position to holdthe electrode and its operating means against movement.

3. In means to tune the radio apparatus to resonance irequencies, afixed electrode and an electrode spaced from and adjustable electrode,both electrodes being interposed in the circuit of the radio apparatus;solenoids connected in circuit with a source of electricity and adaptedto be differentially energized to diflerent relative degrees. andarcuatc armatures coaxially supported to rotate about their axes withinthe solenoids and connected with the adjustable electrode to transmitthe movement oi the annatures thereto. each armature being adapted toremain at all times-within the-zone oi influence oi an individualsolenoid, thereby preventing critical response oi. each armature to theenergization oi its influencing solenoid, and said armatures being movedin opposite directions relative to each other to a multiplicity ofstable posidtsions by the relative energizatlon 0! said soleno Y 4. Inmeans to tune the receiving circuits of radio apparatus to resonancewith transmitted frequencies, a fixed electrode and an electrode spacedfrom and rotatably supported to have adto the ilxed electrode connectedin the circuit of the radio apparatuasolenoids connected in circuit witha source of electricity. arcuate armatures fixedly mounted in coaxialrelation upon the support oi the adjustable electrode to rotate abouttheir axes and transmit the movement thereof to said electrode, eacharmature being associated with and movable in and under the influence ofan individual solenoid in a direction opposite to the direction 0!movement oi the other armature, electric means having diiterentpredetermined amounts thereof connected in circuit with the solenoids tothe source of electricity. and circuit making means connected in thecircuits or the means with the solenoids selectively operative to conn tdiflerent predetermined amounts of the resistance means in circuit withthe solenoids to diiierentially energizethesolenoidsandmovethearmaturesandthe adjustable electrode inpredetermined directions to a multiplicity of stable positions.

5. In'means to time the receiving circuits of resonance with transmittedrrequencieaapairotspaccdelectrodesoneo! which is rotatably supported andadlustable electrode and transmit the movement trode, a solenoid tor andin which each armature is movable and adapted upon the energisationthereoi to -move the armaturc in opposlte directions under the influenceo! the solenoids. means normal]: operative to releasably tain thearmsrelative to the fixedradio apparatus to resonance with in thecircuit 01 tures and adjustable electrode in predetermined podtions,electric resistance means ierent amounts thereof connected in opencircuit with thesolenoids to a source 0! electricity,selectivelyoperative circuit, closing means to close the circuit of andconnect a predetermined amount or the resistance in circuit therewith tooilierentially energize the solenoids and move the armatures and therebythe adjustable electrode to selected predetermined stable positions,electromagnetic means connected in circuit with the solenoids operativethrough the closing of the solenoid circuit to release said retainingmeans from and permit actuation of the armatures and electrode. andmeans controlled by the movement 01 the armatures to selectedpredetermined position operative to open the circuit or the solenoidsand o! the retaining means'and permit said retaining means to assume itsnormal position to hold the armatures against movement.

6. In means to tune the receiving circuits of transmitted frequencies, apair of spaced electrodes one electrode being supportedto have rotativeadjustment relative to the other electrode. a pair oi arcuate armaturesmounted in coaxial relation on the support of the adjustable electrodeto have movement about their axes and transmit the movement thereoi tosaid electrode. a solenoid for each armature connected in circuit with asource oi electricity and in which the armatures have movement to berotated in opposite means armatures and adjustable electrode inpredetermined positions, electromagnetic means connected the solenoidswith the source of electricity and operative to release the armatureretaining means to permit movement of the armatures and adjustableelectrode, electric resistuit closing means connected in the solenoidcircuit and diflerent portions or the resistance means to close thecircuit of and cont'the resistance in solenoid and therebydiflerentially energize the solenoids and move the armatures andadjustable electrode to predetermined stable positions and connect theelectromagnetically operated means ior releasing the retaining means inthe circuit to release the armatures. and circuit breaklDB meansconnected in the circuit or the circuit closing means controlled by themovement of the armatures when moved to predetermined position to openthe circuit of the solenoids and releasing means tor the retaining meansto permit the latter to move to armature retaining position.

'1. Means to tunethe receiving circuits of radio apparatus to resonancewith the transmitted trequencies as claimed in claim 6, wherein theretaming means comprises a disk rotatable with the armatures and-havingnotches in the periphery and a pawl normally urged to engage one of thedisk notches, lease said retainin retain said pawl out of engagementnotches.

8. Means to tune the receiving circuits of radio lppantus to resonancequencies asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the means to open the circuit ofthe solenoids comprises a cylinder rotatable with the armatures ofelectric conducting material electrically connected in the solenoidcircuit and having a-series oi means adapted to move and with the diskare adapted to and the electromagnet means to rewith transmittedireinsets arranged in axially and circumferentially stepped relation toeachother, and a series of circuit of the electromagnet and havingrubbing contact with the cylinder, and each contact member adapted toengage a dielectric inset, and controllable means interposed in thecircuit of the electromagnet and solenoids to control the energizationof the eleetromagnet and solenoids to release and actuate the armaturesto a multiplicity of stable positions.

10. In means to effect predetermined tuning of the other interposed inthe circuit of the radio apparatus, solenoids connected in a circuitwith and energized from a source of electricity, an armature associatedwith each solenoid and operatively connected with the adjustableelectrode and movable under the influence of the solenoids in oppositedirections, a series of electric resistance elements interposed in thecircuit of each solenoid, a series of contactmembers, a terminal 01'each contact member being adapted to be manually connected in one sideof the circuit of a series of the electric resistance elements, andmeans to periodically connect the opposite terminals of the contactmembers to the terminals of the solenoids opposite to the terminalsconnected to the resistance elements to differentially energize thesolenoids and move the armatures and adjustable electrode inpredetermined directions to a multiplicity of stable positions.

11. In means to eifect predetermined tuning of the receiving circuits ofradio apparatus to resonance with transmitted frequencies as claimed inclaim 10, means interposed in the circuit of the series of contactmembers and the resistance elements adapted to be actuated by themovement of the armatures to selectively cut out of the solenoid circuitthe connected contact member and stop the actuation of the armatures andadjustable electrode at a predeterminedposition.

12. In means to eflect predetermined tuning of the receiving circuits ofradio apparatus to ments.

14. Means to effect predetermined tuning of the receiving circuits ofradio apparatus to resonance with transmitted frequencies as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the series of contact members comprises two parallelseries of conducting strips with the strips of one series extended injuxtaposed relation to and transversely of the other series and adaptedto be variably connected circuit with each other, one of said series ofstrips being electrically connected to the resistance means and theother series having lateral extensions, and the periodical connectingmeans comprising a rotatable arm electrically connected to the terminalsof the solenoids and the source of electricity and magnetized, said armbeing actuated to periodically juxtapose the free end relative to thelateral extensions of the one series of contact strips and adapted toattract and engage said extensions to complete the electric circuitthroug the connected conducting strips and the solenoids.

15. In, means to effect claimed in claim 12, means actuated by the movements of the armatures and interposed in the circuit of theelectromagnets with the source of electricity adapted to open saidcircuit and stop the armatures at predetermined positions.

16. In means to effect. predetermined tuning of the receiving circuitsoi radio apparatus to resonance with transmitted frequencies as 159 8claimed in claim 12, means operative to normally prevent movement of thearmatures, and an electromagnet interposed in the circuit of theelectromagnets of the electromagnetically operative contacts and thesource of electricity to release said means and permit movement of thearmatures.

17. In means to tune the receiving circuits of radio apparatus toresonance with transmitted frequencies, a fixed electrode and anelectrode spaced from and adjustable relative to the fixed electrodeinterposed in the circuit of the radio apparatus, electromagneticallyoperated means connected in a normally open electric circuit with asource of electricity and connected with and adapted to bedifferentially energized to move the adjustable electrode topredetermined positions relative to the fixed electrode, selectivelyoperative means to close the circuit of and effect differentialenergization of the electromagnetically operated means and movementthereof and adjustment of the adjustable electrode to predeterminedstable positions, mearis auto matically operative at the termination ofa predetermined movement of the electromagnetically operated means andadjustable electrode to positively and releasably lock the same inpredetermined actuated position, and electromagnetically operated meansconnected in a normally open electric circuit adapted when energized torelease and hold said locking means in releasing position, and. theselectively operative means operative to close the circuit thereof whenactuated to close the circuit of the electromagnetically operated meansto actuate the electromagnetically operated means and adjustableelectrode, and means to simultaneously open the circuits of theelectromagnetically operated electrode adjusting means when theelectrode has been adjusted to predetermined position and the circult ofthe electromagnetically operated releasmg means for the locking meansand permit said locking means to assume its locking position.

MERION J. HUGGINS.

